The Modern Tote Phase II, the first initial

Some of you may recall our very first project here on Presserfoot, the modern tote. Just before moving to Beijing I had my kids pick out a canvas print, hoping that in the course of the move and 2 months they would forget all about it and be swayed that the Easter bunny had just their taste.

After some procrastination I finally got up the courage to plug in my sewing machine. I was sure it would blow up. I got everything out and ready when I realized that I still need an adapter because the plug prongs are shaped different. Defeat. So, I jumped on the internet, scrolled back to March of 2009 and began cutting my material.

Next was freezer paper stenciling their first initial on the front of the bag. Since I don’t have access to a printer yet I had to free hand the letters , but thanks to a mechanical pencil and a good eraser I am happy with the results.

The last modification I made tot he bag was to add a crayon pouch to back of the bag. I used vinyl, but any fabric would do.

Step 1 Before sewing on the bottom panel of your bag secure the vinyl panel (4 inches by 13 inches- the width of the tote) so that the bottom 1/2 inch is sewn in underneath the bottom panel. then iron down your bottom panel and top stitch.

Step 2 Working from the wrong side of your material make a grid system for your stitch lines. For the twistable crayons I used each crayon pocket required a stitch length of 3 inches, being spaced one inch apart, allowing for a half inch sew allowance on each side.

Step 3 Sew vertical lines, back stitching at each end.

Step 4 Trim threads on the front and then pull any lose ends through on the back and trim.

Step 5 Load up with crayons.

Step 6 Give the Easter Bunny a little help.